Day 1

9 AM – arrival in Petrozavodsk, the capital of Karelia, by overnight train from Moscow, meeting at the railway station (6.50 AM – arrival by night train from St. Petersburg and waiting for Moscow part of the group in a cafe). Breakfast in a café.
Select the skis. Transfer to the starting point of our tour – Gorka village (85 km).
Pack your luggage to load it in the snowmobile sleds and set off skiing across the white plain of the Onego lake, along the itinerary Gorka village –Yuzhny Dvor village. In Yuzhny Dvor, one of the oldest Karelian villages, see the non-functioning Nikolsky Cathedral (XV c.), whose wooden belfry towering over the lake is visible from far away. Lunch as a light snack on the way.
Dinner and overnight in basic conditions (sleeping bags, camping mats) in a heated wooden house in Yuzhny Dvor or winter camping not far away from the village.
Day skiing distance: 16 km

Day 2

After breakfast, continue skiing (now inland) in the fresh snow, in woods, along the itinerary Yuzhny Dvor – Vigovo village – Volkostrov island. On Volkostrov, see the beautiful Peter & Paul chapel (XVIII c.). Lunch as a light snack on the way.
Arrive in Volkostrov in time for dinner, banya (Russian sauna) and overnight in Volkostrov guesthouse (in rooms for 3 and 4 persons)
Day skiing distance: 23 km

Day 3

After breakfast, leave for a full-day exploration by skis of the Karelian gems of wooden architecture. Ski along the itinerary Volkostrov – Eglov island – Pod’elniki village, with its lovely wooden chapel of Paraskeva Pyatnitsa and Varlaam Khutinsky (XVII c.) – Kizhi island – Volkostrov. Make a stop the Kizhi island to have a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage site, an open-air museum of wooden architecture with an amazing creation of the XVII-XIX centuries’ masters of the Russian North – an ensemble of traditional wooden structures - chapels, mills, barns, and Russian houses (izbas). Lunch as a light snack on the way.
Return to the guest house in early evening. Time at leisure, dinner. Optional banya (extra cost, to be paid on the spot), and overnight in Volkostrov guesthouse (in rooms for 3 and 4 persons)
Day skiing distance: 15 km

Day 4

After breakfast, pack your luggage and head by skis northwards, along the itinerary Volkostrov – Ust-Yandoma village – Yandomozero village – Markovschina village. Stop in Ust-Yandoma to see St George chapel (XVII – XVIII c.) located among the rocks and pine trees, and in Yandomozero village to visit the beautiful Varvara church (XVII c.) on the shore of Yandomozero lake. Lunch as a light snack on the way.
Dinner and overnight in basic conditions (sleeping bags, camping mats) in a heated wooden house in Markovschina.
Day skiing distance: 22 km

Day 5

Breakfast. Enjoy your last day of skiing in the crispy air and endless spaces, along the itinerary Markovschina – Kosmozero village – Kosmozero guesthouse. Stop in Kosmozero village to see the Assumption church (XVIII c.). Lunch as a light snack on the way.
Upon arrival in Kosmozero guesthouse, have a hot Russian banya to wash off the fatigue after the days of activity. Transfer from Kosmozero to Petrozavodsk (360 km, 4-5 hrs).
Arrive in Petrozavodsk, early dinner in a local café. Transfer to the railway station for those who leave for Moscow by train at 7 pm. Free time in the company of your guide for acquaintance with Petrozavodsk for those who leave for St Petersburg by train at 11 pm.
Day skiing distance: 17 km